Rocking chair



Nov. 14, 1950 w. F. SPRADLEN 2,529,633

ROCKING CHAIR Filed May 19, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov, M, 1950 w. F. SPRADLEN ROCKING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 19, 1949 I Patented Nov. 14, 1950 nocxmo mm William F. Spradlen, Knoxville, Tenn., assignor to Royal Manufacturing 00., Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application May 19, 1949, Serial No. 94,113 11 Claims. (01. 155-71) This invention relates broadly to the art of chairs, and in its more specific aspects it relates to rocking chairs; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present believe to be the preferred embodiments and mechanical expressions of my invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions, of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

The conventional rocking chair, whether it be the standard rocker involving rocker elements or a rocking chair of the platform type, is not usually adapted for upholstering or construction to present the appearance of the regulation easy chair which is popular and in common use today. Rocking chairs are not generally provided with solid arms for receiving upholstery or covering nor do they present a solid closed appearance down to the feet as in the regulation covered easy chair. Most easy chairs are not capable of rocking or tilting movement and thus anyone desiring a chair which may be rocked or tilted is de-- prived of an easy chair having the conventionalupholstery and covering which presents an ornamental and decorativeappearance which is now wanted by many purchasers of furniture. As far as I am aware, furniture buyers are unable to purchase a chair which combines the appear ance of a regulation easy chair with the desired functional characteristics of rocking and/0r tilting, and-it is therefore a fundamental object of my invention to provide a chair having the appearance of a standard or conventional upholstered and covered easy chair, but which may also be rocked or tilted so that the user thereof may assume various relaxin positions.

An easy chair of the type of this invention which may be rocked is constructed of two units, a stationary unit and a rocking unit mounted therein, and it is a further object of my invention to provide a chair of this type in which the two units are so associated that the interior of the stationary unit which houses the operating rightnon-rocked position until tilted or rocked by the user thereof.

. Another object of one form of my invention is to provide means in a rocking chair of the type .j involved in this application which will maintain the rocking unit of the chair in any tilted position desired and found comfortable and relaxing by the user of the chair.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a rocking chair of this character which will stop forward rocking movement of the rockable unit at a certain point to eliminate possible damaging contact between certain stationary and movable parts of the chair.

My invention has also been designed for economy of manufacture and assembly and to be of-I long service under normal conditions of use.

With the foregoing general objects, features '1 and results in view, as well as certain others which will be apparent from the following explanation,

the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combinal tion of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred toand specified hereinafter. Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view inelevation taken on linel-|.-of Fig. 2 of the drawings. A

, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view in section.

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevational view of the tilt control unit employed with the chair of Figs.

1 and 2 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation taken on line I 4-4 of Fig. 5 of the drawings and illustrating a modified form oftilt control unit.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View in section of the chair illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Fig. 6 is a detailed side elevational view of the T modified form of tilt control unit employed with the chair of Figs. land 5 of the drawings.

rocking unit of my'chair, which is rockably mounted on and within the base unit. As hereinbefore pointed out this invention provides a rocking chair which has the appearance of the well-known and conventional easy chair having the customary upholstery applied thereto as well as covering fabrics or other materials to the lower portions thereof.

The stationary unit or base S of the rocking chair involved in this invention consists of arms designated by the numeral I which preferably though not necessarily extend from the front portion of the chair to substantially the rear part thereof. These arms I may, of course, be constructed in any desrable and suitable shape and configuration. However in view of the desire to construct this chair so as to present the ornamental appearance of the usual easy chair, I have shown and illustrated the arms in the drawings as being of solid construction so that upholstery or covering may be applied thereon.

The lower portion 3 of each arm I is of substantially solid rail like form and extends from the front of the chair to the rearjthereof, recesses being formed on the inner side of the lower portion of each arm into which rails 4 are set and securely fixed. The lower portions 3 of each arm are connected at their back ends by a back cross rail 5 and at their front ends by a front panel forming cross rail 1 preferably having an upper beveled edge 9 for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out. A suitable covering 1' may be applied to cross rail I. The lower portion of the stationary unit of the chair which consists of the arm rails I and the rear and forward connecting cross rails 5 and 1, respectively, presents a substantially rectangular enclosed frame or box construction for the lower portion of the chair and this frame is mounted and supported by a pair of back feet II and a pair of front feet I3 the feet I| being secured to the ends of rear cross rail 5. The front feet I3, as will be apparent from consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawings particularly, are attached to the lower ends of the arms I and to the front rail or panel I in position so that the exterior vertical surfaces of the feet are preferably in substantially the same vertical plane as the exterior vertical surfaces of the arms. i

The front feet I3 are of substantial dimensions and extend rearwardly of front panel I thereby providing an extension I6, and the feet are also of greater width cross wise of the chair than the width of the arms I which rest thereon so that each front foot I3 is formed with a portion I5 eX- tending inwardly beyond the vertical plane of the inner surfaces of the arms I and rails 4. The purpose of dimensioning the front feet I3 in the manner described will be explained hereinafter.

An arc block I! is attached to each rail 4 intermediate the ends thereof, the blocks being oppositely disposed and each one extending inwardly from the rail to which it is attached. The arc blocks are formed and constructed to provide convex surfaces or ways upper surfaces for supporting the rocking units R of the chair assembly.

The rocking unit R of the chair assembly consists of chair back rails 2| and rail 2'! rigidly associated with said back rails in any suitable manner so that the seat portion 23 which rests on and is secured to rails 21 and the back will function or rock as a unit. Any desirable type of upholstery 25 may be applied to the seat and supported in any desirable manner by and between the back rails. The usual springs may be incorporated with the upholstery in a manner well known in the art. The rails 21 may be reinforced by means of a bar or slat 28.

The rocking unit R is supported on the convex ways I9 of block IT by means of a pair of supporting rails 27 which preferably though not necessarily are integral with and extend forwardly from the back rails 2| along the under side of the seat 23 and depend therefrom. The

I9 on their 4 rails 21 extend forwardly along each under side of the seat and thickening members 29 may be secured to the rails 2'! so that a better seating on ways I9 will be obtained. The rails 21 extend forwardly from the lower end of back 2| to points rearwardly spaced from the front edge 29' of seat 23 and the forward or front edge of each rail 21 is inclined downwardly and forwardly. I provide a solid supporting panel 3| which extends between the front ends of rails 2'! which is secured to the forward inclined edges thereof and under side of seat 23 and is of greater width than the depth ofrails Z'I'so that the lower portion of the panel extends below the rails. The pane1 3| is provided with a thickened upper section 33.

Each arc block I! is provided with a bracket unit 35, and each rail 2'! is provided with a complementary bracket unit 37 in which are mounted a pair of coil springs 39.

When the rocking chair units R and S are assembled in operative positions the unit R is mounted within the box like stationary supporting frame S, with the rocker unit rails 21 resting on the convex ways I9 of the arc blocks I1 and the spring units 39 operatively secured to the brackets 35 and 31 to hold units R and S together. With the units so assembled the supporting panel 3| will be positioned behind front cross rail 1 and will extend between the rails 4 and lower portions 3 of arms I.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have illustrated in solid lines the rocking unit R in normal upright position which is the forwardmost position the rocking unit may assume. In such upright position the supporting panel 3| will rest on the portions I5 and I6 of front feet I3 and will thereby support and maintain the rocking unit of the chair against further rocking motion,

When the rocking unit R is rocked rearwardly on ways I9 there will occur a slight rearward sliding motion of rails 21 on ways I9 as well as the rocking motion as clearly illustratedin Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thus, when the unit R is rearwardly rocked panel 3| will move upwardly and will not abut but will move closel adjacent to and clear the rear surface of panel 1 due to the sliding action of the rails on the ways as well as the rocking action. Supporting panel 3| is of sufficient width so that the lower end thereof is not above the top of panel or front cross rail 1 at any rocked position of unit R.

When the rocking unit R consisting of the seat and back is rocked it will be understood that springs 39 will impart to the seated person a pleasing spring rocker motion to thereby lend the comfort and the desirability of an old time easy rocking chair to a chair having the appearance of a regulation easy chair.

Due to the inclined mounting of supporting panel 3| it will be recognized that there is no possibility of forward rocking or sliding past the upright non-rocked position as a result of forward sliding of rails 21 on ways I9. This might be possible if supporting panel 3| was not inclined to the perpendicular as illustrated, and if it occurred, damage to the stationary parts would likely result.

In a finished chair the front face of supporting panel 3| is covered by fabric 4| which may be stretched from the upper and outer edge of thickened section 33 .to the bottom of panel 3|, and the area between the fabric and panel 3| may be filled if desired.

'Due to th unique construction of the sta-" tionary unit S and the coaction of supporting" panel 31 with front cross rail 1 it will be al parent that I have provided a completely enclosed construction so that it is impossible to see into the assembly below the seat portion at any rocked position thereof. It will further be appreciated that by virtue of the construction of panel 3| and thickened portion 33 the fabric covering 4| will be closely adjacent to front cross rail 1 and upper edge 9 of front cross rail 1. Thus, due to this enclosed construction and merging of adja-- cent stationary and movable elements a rocking chair is provided which has the appearance of;

a regulation easy chair.

In Figs. 4 through 6 of the drawings, I have illustrated a modified form of means for attaching the units of the chair assembly together. In this form of my invention I have used the same reference characters as hereinbefore used to designate parts which are the same, and S are the sam in this form of my invention as those in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3 of the drawings. However in this form of my invention I have eliminated the springs and have substituted another type of means for connecting the two units of the chair assembly together.

The are blocks I! are each provided with elongated plates or the like members 43 and the rails 21 are provided with complementary elongated plates or the like 45. A link 41 is pivotally mounted at each end to the plates 43 and 45 and a further link 49 is pivotally mounted at its ends to each plate and extends across the first mentioned link 41.

By this construction of crossed links pivotally mounted at their ends to the arc block and the rails 21, I have provided a chair which permits the sitter to choose a favorite sitting position and to remain in such position as long as desired; By this crossed link unit mounting arrangement the seated person has the option of maintaining with ease any tilted position which may be desired, and a limited sliding action of the rails on the ways occurs as well as a rocking action. In order to rock or tilt the chair, the sitter need only give a slight push or pull on the arms of the chair, which of course are a part of the stationary unit S, or may slightly press on the floor with his feet. It will be understood that the appearance and ornamental effect as well as the structure of the chair illustrated in Figs. 4 through 6 of the drawings is the same as the chair illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3 of the drawings, the only difference being that this crossed link arrangement is substituted for the spring arrangement for rockably attaching the stationary unit S and the rocking unit R together.

I claim:

1. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail, a rockable unit including a chair seat and back rockably supported within said stationary base unit and a front panel fixed to said rockable unit for motion therewith. said panel operable within said base unit and behind said front cross rail.

2. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit having front and back cross rails, and side cross rails, a rockable unit including a chair seat and back rockably supported within said stationary base unit and a front The units R panel extending downwardly from the seat for motion therewith, said panel depending within said-base unitand behind said front cross rail. "3. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit having front and back crossrails connected together by side rails providing an-"enclosure, a rockable unit including a chair seat and back rockably supported within said stationary base unit, and a front panel fixed to and extending downwardly from the seat adjacent to but'rearwardly' spaced from the front thereof, and the panel being of substantially the same length; as the width of the rockable unit and movable with the seat as it rocks, said panel extending into the base unit behind the front cross rail to thereby hide the interior of the base unit when the rockable unit is rocked and the front of th seat swingsupwardly.

-4. A' rocking chair combination including astationary base unit, a rockable unit including a' chair seat and back rockably supported withinsaid'stationary base unit, and a front panel fixed to-saidrockable unit and movable therewith and extending downwardly therefrom into said base unit-and means fixed to said stationary unit and engageable by said front panel to limit forward rocking motion of said rockable unit.

5. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail, and a rockable unit including a chair seat and back rockably supported withinsaid stationary base unit, and a front panel fixed to said rockable unit for motion therewith and extending therefrom downwardly into the base unit and behind said front cross rail and means fixed to said stationary unit and engageable by said front panel to limit forward rocking motion of said rockable unit.

6. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit mounted on front and back feet and having a front cross rail, and a rockable unit including a chair seat and back rockably supported within said stationary base unit, and a front panel fixed to said rockable unit for. motion therewith and extending therefrom downwardly into the base unit and behind said front cross rail, said front feet engageable by said panel when the rockable unit is forwardly rocked to limit the forward rocking of the unit.

'7. A rocking chair of the easy chair type including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail, and a rockable unit including a seat and back rockably supported within said stationary unit and means fixed to said seat adjacent to but rearwardly spaced from the front thereof and extending downwardly into the stationary base unit rearwardly of said front cross rail, said means being movable with the seat as the front thereof swings upwardly during a rocking operation, said means forming a screen to hide the interior of the base unit from view over the top of said front cross rail.

8. A rocking chair of the easy chair type including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail, and a rockable unit including a seat and back rockably supported within said stationary unit and means fixed to said seat adjacent to but rearwardly spaced from the front thereof and extending downwardly into the stationary base unit rearwardly of said front cross rail, said means being movable with the seat as the front thereof swings upwardly during a rocking operation, and the top edge of said front cross rail being spaced from the seat when in its forward most rocked position, and said means forming a screen to hide the interior of the base unit from view between the seat and the top edge of said cross rail in any rocked position of the chair.

9. A rocking chair of the easy chair type including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail and front and back feet upon which said base unit is mounted, and a rockable unit including a seat and back rockably supported within the stationary base unit in such a manner that a limited amount of fore and aft motion as well as rocking motion is imparted to the rockable unit in a rocking operation, a panel of a length substantially the same as the width of said rockable unit fixed to said seat adjacent to but rearwardly spaced from the front of the seat and extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom behind said front cross rail and into said stationary base unit, said front feet engageable bysaid panel when the rockable unit is forwardly rocked to limit the forward rocking and forward movement of the unit.

10. A rocking chair combination including a stationary base unit having a front cross rail having a covering material, a rockable unit including a chair set and back rockably supported within said stationary base unit and a front panel fixed to and extending forwardly and downwardly from the seat adjacent to but rearwardly spaced from the front thereof, the panel being of substantially the same length as the width of the rockable unit and movable with the seat as it rocks and having a thickened upper portion and the panel having a covering material, the panel extending into the base unit behind and closely adjacent to the front cross rail.

11. A rocking chair of the easy chair type including a stationary base unit including front and back cross rails and side rails connecting said cross rails, and a rockable unit including a seat and back and a supporting rail depending from the seat adjacent each side thereof, a convex way mounted on the inner side of each side rail for supporting said supporting rails and means rockably attaching the supporting rails to the side rails, and a panel of a length substantially the same as the width of the rockable unit fixed to said seat adjacent to but rearwardly spaced from the front of the seat and extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom behind said front cross rail and into said stationary unit.

WILLIAM F. SPRADLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 203,979 Zangerle May 21, 1878 209,886 Halladay Nov. 12, 1878 1,955,177 Edberg Apr. 17, 1934 2,270,430 Fox Jan. 20, 1942 

